Moments earlier, Robredo and Duterte made their first public appearance together. Duterte had even quipped at the start of his speech that it was his first time to meet her personally.

Robredo described their first meeting as “very cordial.”

When asked if the two officials would be meeting each other soon, she said, “Oo naman, mukhang welcome naman para sa kanya.” (Of course, he seemed to welcome the idea.)

Robredo said that setting up her meeting with Duterte would probably be the first thing she would do once she arrives at her Quezon City office.

After winning the two highest positions in the land, the two appeared to have been off to a rocky start when Duterte said he would not give a Cabinet position to Robredo.

Duterte admitted that one of his reasons for this was his friendship with Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, Robredo’s closest rival in the vice-presidential race. Duterte credited the Marcos family for his victory in Ilocos Norte in the May 9 elections.

Robredo, unfazed, said she would nonetheless be fully supportive of the Duterte administration.